Bicameral House In Bengal: Resolution Passed For Legislative Council, BJP Dubs It 'Backdoor Politics'

West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution supporting an Ad-hoc committee report that favoured the creation of a legislative council.

(File Photo/ Getty)

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal Cabinet on Tuesday passed the West Bengal Legislative Council resolution. The cabinet passed a resolution to create a Legislative Council in the state under Article 169 of the Constitution of India. 

According to reports, a total of 196 of 265 members West Bengal assembly supported the resolution while 69 voted against it. 

The resolution was moved by state parliamentary affairs minister Partha Chatterjee under Rule 169 of the Procedures of Conduct of Business of the House.

Meanwhile, the resolution was opposed by the Opposition (Bharatiya Janata Party) alleging that the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) wants to pursue "backdoor politics" to help party leaders get elected as lawmakers despite having lost the assembly polls.

The saffron party also argued that the move would put pressure on the state exchequer. Even lone ISF MLA Naushad Siddiqui also opposed the resolution.

Just 12 days after swearing in as the Chief Minister of West Bengal for the third time on May 18, Mamata Banerjee had approved the cabinet's decision to create a Vidhan Parishad, or the upper house of the state legislature, which was one of TMC's poll promises.

BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari opposed the resolution claiming that it would not be financially suitable and that the move was a ploy to accommodate TMC leaders in the Council.

"Vidhan Parishad is not there in 23 states. This is not good for smart governance. TMC has lost 7-8 ministers including Chief Minister. They are trying for back door entry through Vidhan Parishad," Adhikari said.

History of Legislative Council in Bengal

Post-independence, the first Chief Minister of Bengal, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy formed the Legislative Council in 1952, which continued till 1969. However, the resolution was later abolished by the United Front government in the Upper House by passing a bill. 

Legislative Council can be formed in the state under Article 169 of the Indian Constitution. The bill needs to be presented before the Parliament for the creation of the Legislative Council with the consent of the President of India.